Window regulator



July 16, 1940.

w. MACKEY WINDOW REGULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 'Filed May 2, 1938 1NVE-NTOR. b). Mac'ke y l ATTORNEY I July 16, 1940. I w, MACKEY 2,207,891

WINDOW REGULATOR Filed May 2, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 43 45 44 5g fw 5/ 5o Fig. 8;

' INVENTOR.

Henry -0. Macks I ATTORNEY.

@Qh 6 mm July 16, 19 0- H. MACKEY WINDOW REGULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2, 1958 INVENTOR Henry D). MaCRey BY ATTORNEY.5

Patented July 16, 1940 WINDOW REGULATOR" Hem'y W. Mackey, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Motor Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of New York Application May 2, 1938, Se1'ial'No."205,551

3Claims.' (o1. 268' 126) T-his invention relates generally to window regulators of the type employed to raise and lower glass-panels" provided in the window openings of vehicle bodies.-

One of the principal objects of this invention isto provide a window regulator composed of a relatively-few simple parts capable of being inexpen'sively' manufactured and cooperating when assembled to. permit raising and lowering the 0 window with the minimum effort. In accordance with this invention, the effort required to raise or lower the window is reduced to the minimum by providing a window regulator so constructed that the thrust and pull on the window is in the form of a vertical linethrust applied substantially at the center of the window. As a result, there is no tendency for the window to tilt during the movement thereof and cause undue friction against the Window guides.

A'nother advantageous feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a window regulator of the character set forth embodying means effective to shift the window transversely to the direction of sliding movement thereof as the same approaches its uppermost position in the window opening and during initial movement of the window downwardly relative .to the Window opening. I

.The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings; wherein Figure 1 is an inside viewof a portion of a vehicle body having a window opening therethrough and having a sliding closure panel operated by a window regulator constructed in accordance with this invention p I Figure-2 is an enlarged side elevational view of. the window regulator shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2; r

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on-the-plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure=2;-

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view-taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 55 of Figure 2; g I I Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectionalview taken on the line Tl1of Figure 2;. p Figure 81s a sectional view taken onthe line 258.91; Fi u e Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a v iew similar to Figure ltshowing a slightly modified form of the invention; and

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line I l-I l of Figure 10.

For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, I have selected a composite window of the ventilating type embodying a swinging panel and a vertically sliding panel cooperating with the swinging panel in the raised position thereof to' close the window opening in the vehicle body. However; it will be understood from the following description that the present invention is by no means limited to the above construction of the window and that my improved regulator is applicable in any case Where it is desired to effect raising and lowering of the window panel.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that there is illustrated in Figure 1 a portion of a vehicle body having a window opening I0 and having a closure l I for the window opening. As stated above, the closure II is in the form of a ventilating window having a vertically slidable glass panel I2 and having a pivoted panel l3 mounted in the window opening in advance of the panel I2 to cooperate with the latter in the uppermost position of the same to completely close the window opening. In accordance with the conventionalpractice, the panel I3 is pivotally supported in the window opening for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis located between the front and rear edges of the panel. The general arrangement is such that when the panel I3 is swung to an open position, the portion of the panel in advance of the vertical axis moves inwardly with respect to the plane of the window opening and the portion of the panel in rear of the axis moves outwardly with refere ence to said plane. As a result, air is drawn into the vehicle through the opening provided at the forward end of the panel l3 and is exhausted from the vehicle through the slot existing at the rear 'edge of the panel l3.

In the closed positions of both'panels in the window opening, the space between the adjacent edges of the panel issealed by means of a division bar [4 having the additionalfunction of forming an abutmentfor'engaging the rear vertical edge of the swinging panel to locate the latter in its closed position. The division bar I4 is fashioned to have the cross sectional contour shown in Fig-- me 5 and may be secured to either one 01' the adjacent edges of the two window panels. 'In the present instance,;.the division bar is shownias secured to the forward vertical edge of the sliding panel l2 and for this purpose is formed with a rearwardly opening longitudinal extending channel [5 receiving the forward edge of the sliding panel l2. As stated above, the division bar also forms an abutment for the rear edge of the pivoted panel I3 and, for accomplishing this result. the division bar is provided with a longitudinally extending forwardly projecting flange l6 at the outer edge thereof. A suitable sealing strip I! is secured to the forward edge of the division bar in the manner shown in Figure 5 to engage the rear edge of the panel [3 and provide a seal for said edge.

The panel I2 is mounted for vertical sliding movement from a position within the window opening to a position within the usual compartment or well I8 provided by the inner and outer panels of the body below the window opening. In the specific embodiment of the invention selected for the purpose of illustration, the rear edge of the panel l2 slides in a channel-shaped runway I9 suitably secured to the body and having a portion 20 extending forwardly along the upper side of the window opening for receiving thetop edge of the panel 12 when the latter is in its closed or uppermost position.

The panel I2 is moved between the two positions mentioned above by means of a window regulator, designated in the several figures of the drawings by the reference character 2|. The regulator is so constructed that the thrust and pull on, the window is in the form of a vertical line thrust applied at the bottom edge of the window substantially midway between the front and rear edges of the latter. In detail, the window regulating mechanism comprises a T-shaped arm 22 having the stem portion 23 extending in the direction of sliding movement of the panel l2 substantially midway between the front and rear edges of the latter panel. The transverse section 24 of the T at the upper end of the stem 23 extends parallel to the bottom edge of the panel l2 and is offset outwardly with respect to the window opening at opposite ends to form attaching lugs 25. The attaching lugs 25 are secured to the bottom longitudinal edge portion 26 of a channel 2! by means of the fastener elements 28, and the channel 21 is, in turn, secured to the bottom edge of the glass panel l2 in the usual manner.

A follower or pin 29 is secured to the lower end of the stem portion 23 on the T-shaped arm in a manner to extend inwardly from the arm and cooperate with a track30 to guide the arm throughout its vertical movement. The track 30 is in the form of an outwardly opening channelshaped section having a base portion 3| secured intermediate the ends to the regulator supporting plate 32 and having the lower end secured to the body structure in the window well I8. Upon reference to Figure 8, it will be noted that the free longitudinal edge portions of the flanges 33 on the track are bent laterally inwardly toward the vertical center line of the channel to provide longitudinally extending beads 34'; for engagement with the inner end of the pin 29. In this connection, it will be noted that the inner end of the pin 29 is provided with an enlarged head 35 located in the channel of the track and having a diameter greater than the width of the slot between the beads 34 so as to prevent lateral displacement of the pin out of the channel. It will, of course, be understood that the opposite ends ofthe channel-shaped track-are It will also be The spring 31 encircles the pin 29 with one end Y engaging the washer 33 and with the opposite end engaging the arm. I

For the purpose of raising and lowering the arm 22 to effect a corresponding movement of the panel [2, I provide reduction gearing 38 mounted on the plate 32. The reduction gearing comprises a segmental gear 39 mounted on the outer side of the plate 32 by means of a pin Ml for rocking movement in a vertical plane and having teeth 3! meshing with a worm 4,2 rotatably mounted on the plate 32 with its axis extending vertically. InFigures 3, 5, and 6 of the drawings, a stamping or plate 43 is shown as secured to the outer side of the supporting plate 32 and as having vertically spaced longitudinally projecting tongues 34 which extend over the trunnions 5 at opposite ends of the worm in a manner to cooperate with recesses 46 in the supporting plate 32 to provide bearings for supportingthe worm. The free ends of the tongues are fashioned to overlap the outer side of the gear segment 39 and serve to maintain the segmentin meshing relation with the worm. I

The worm is driven in opposite directions to effect the desiredrocking movement of the segment 39 by means of'an operating shaft 50 rotatably supported in the hub 5i of a housing 52 which is secured to the inner side of the supporting plate 32. The shaft so, of course, extends at right angles to the axis of the worm and a crown gear 53 is rotatably mounted in the housing. and'is secured to the shaft 50. v The gear 53 is in the.

form of a cup-shaped stamping having the'axial flange formed with teeth 54 arranged in mesh with a pinion 54 secured to the worm 42. A handle 55 of any suitable character may be secured to the inner end of the shaft 50 for rotating the segment 39 through the medium of the Worm gearing. Y

Rocking motion of the segment 39 is transmitted to a straight-line movement of the T-shaped arm 22 by means of the linkage 55. In detail, the linkage 56 comprises a link 51 having one end secured to the segment, as at 58, for rocking movement as a unit therewith and having the free end pivotally connected to a second link 59 intermediate the ends thereof by means of a pin 69. One end of the link 59 is pivotally connected to the transverse portion '24v of the T-shaped arm 22 and the other end B l of the link is slidably supported on the plate 32. As shown in Figure 7, a pin 62 similar to the pin 29 is'secured to the end El of the link 59 in amanner to extend inwardly from the link through, a longitudinally extending slot "63'for med *inthe supporting plate 32. One end of th es'lot 63 is enlarged, as at 64, to provide for inserting the enlarged head 65' of the pin into the slot and the head is maintained in frictional engagement with the plate 32 by means of a frusto-conical washer 66 slidably mounted on the pin-32 at the outer side of the'plate' 32. -The'was'h'e'r 66 is-urgedinto frictional engagement with correspondingly tapered flanges 6'! at the opposite longitudinal edges of the slot 63 by means of a spring 68.

The length of the slot is predetermined to provide the required travel of the T-shaped arm 22 to move the panel l2 from its closed position in the window opening to a position out of the window opening into the well ill. By virtue of this slot, the thrust and pull on the window II are in the form of a vertical-line thrust applied sub" stantially at the center of the Window. As a result, the window panel may be raised with the minimum effort since binding and undue friction are reduced to the minimum.

In some installations, it is desirable to shift the panel l2 fore-and-aft of the body to either provide for obtaining a ventilating opening at the forward edge of the panel l2, or to relieve the friction at the forward edge of the panel l2 on the adjacent structure which, in the present instance, is the division bar l4. Assuming that it is desired to provide a ventilating slot at the forward edge of the glass panel I2 in the uppermost position of the latter, it is essential to effect rearward shifting movement of the panel it after the latter has been raised to its position in the window opening and to return the panel to its normal position by shifting the same forwardly during initial downward movement of the panel i2. This result may be accomplished with my improved regulator mechanism by inclining the rear portion of the slot 63 in the manner clearly shown in Figure'lO. The arrangement is such that when the panel I2 substantially assumes its uppermost position in the window opening, the pin 62 is guided in an upward direction by the inclined portion 10 of the slot 63. Inasmuch as the pin 62 is secured to the link 59 and in view of the fact that the latter is connected to the arm 22, it follows that upward movement of the pin in the inclined portion of the slot 10 effects a pivotal movement of the arm 22 about the pin 29 in a direction to move the forward edge of the panel 12 rearwardly. On the other hand, when the panel I2 is initially lowered, the pin 62 travels downwardly in the inclined portion of the slot toward the horizontal portion 12 and, in so doing, effects a shifting movement of the panel [2 in a forward direction to its original position relative to the window opening.

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be observed that I have provided a relatively simple and inexpensive window regulating mechanism so constructed that the thrust or pull on the window is in the form of a vertical-line thrust applied substantially at the center of the window. It will also be noted that all of the various parts of the window regulating mechanism, including the T-, shaped arm 22 and track 30, form an assembly with the supporting plate 32. This feature not only simplifies manufacture, but appreciably expedites assembly and installation. In addition,

it will be noted that the regulating mechanism may also be advantageously used in assemblies where it is desired to shift the vertical sliding panel fore-and-aft of the body.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A window regulator for vehicle bodies having a vertically movable closure panel, comprising a mounting plate fixed to the body structure and having a slot therethrough, a member secured to the lower edge of the closure panel and extending downwardly therefrom, a track fixed against movement with the closure panel and extending vertically, a follower secured to the lower end of the member and engageable with the track, a link having one end pivotally connected to the member adjacent the lower edge of the panel and having means at the opposite end extending through the slot in the mounting plate, and means supported for rocking movement about an axis extending transversely of the path oftravel of the panel and connected to the link intermediate the ends thereof for raising and lowering the panel, said slot having a portion extending in a direction fore-and-aft of the body and having another portion extending at an angle, to the portion aforesaid and effective to exert a camming action on the link causing the member to swing about the point of engagement of the follower with the track and thereby effect a shifting movement of the panel in a direction foreand-aft of the body.

2. A window regulator for vehicle bodies having a window opening and a vertically movable closure for said opening, said regulator comprising, a guide extending in the direction of sliding movement of the closure and fixed against movement with the closure, a member secured to the bottom of the closure and extending downwardly from the latter, a slidable pivotal connection between the member and guide effective to permit swinging the closure in the plane of the window opening about said connection, and means for raising and lowering the closure having provision for swinging the closure about said connection at one point in the vertical travel of the closure.

3. A window regulator for vehicle bodies having a vertically movable closure panel, comprising a mounting plate, a member secured to the lower edge of the closure panel and extending downwardly therefrom, a track fixed to the mounting plate and extending vertically, a follower secured to the member adjacent the lower end of the latter and engageable with the track,

a link'having one end pivotally connected to the member adjacent the lower edge of the panel and having a sliding connection at the opposite end with the mounting plate, means supported for rocking movement about an axis extending transversely of the path of travel of the panel and connected to the link intermediate the ends thereof for raising and lowering the panel, and means cooperating with the slidable connection between the link and mounting plate effective to swing the closure panel in the plane of the window opening about the point of engagement of the follower with the track.

HENRY W. MACKEY. 

